Shoe cover device

ABSTRACT

A shoe cover device is disclosed for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, the device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons. The device includes a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, the cover having a first and a second edge. An edging tape has a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, the edging tape being folded such that the first side lies over the second side of the tape so that the tape defines a channel for the reception therein of the first edge of the protective cover. A row of stitches extend between the first termination and the second termination of the tape so that the cover is attached to the tape by the row of stitches. An expandable member has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity being secured to the first termination of the edging tape and extending from the first termination. The second extremity of the member is secured to the second termination of the edging tape and extends from the second termination. The arrangement is such that the tape and the expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that the cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe. Also, a strap has a first and a second end, the first end of the strap being fastened to the first extremity of the expandable member. The second end of the strap is fastened to the second extremity of the expandable member. The strap, in use of the device, extends around the heel of the shoe so that the cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of the expandable member and the strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cover device for protecting ashoe. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shoe coverdevice for protecting the top surface of a shoe from hair or any harmfuleffects of chemicals used in hair salons.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Various chemicals are typically used in hair salons and barbershops for treating customer's hair. However, such chemicals can have adamaging effect on a stylist or barber's shoes if any of the chemical isspilt thereon. Stylists and barbers often wear expensive shoes that cancost several hundred dollars. However, even if the shoes are notparticularly expensive, the spillage of chemicals or hair thereon can bea source of considerable annoyance to a stylist or barber.

[0005] Although for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,416 to Hands describes ashoe cover for protecting costly shoes, the cover is relatively complexin structure and therefore rather expensive to manufacture.

[0006] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problemassociated with the prior art shoe cover arrangement.

[0007] Also, because of the unique arrangement of the components of theshoe cover device according to the present invention, the cost ofmanufacture thereof is reduced.

[0008] Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention toprovide a shoe cover device that overcomes the problems associated withthe prior art arrangements.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of thedetailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present inventioncontained herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a shoe cover device for a shoehaving a top surface and a heel, the device protecting the top surfaceof the shoe from hair and any harmful effects of chemicals used in hairsalons. The device includes a protective cover of shield-shapedconfiguration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, the coverhaving a first and a second edge. An edging tape has a first and asecond face and a first and a second side and a first and a secondtermination, the edging tape being folded such that the first side liesover the second side of the tape so that the tape defines a channel forthe reception therein of the first edge of the protective cover. A rowof stitches extend between the first termination and the secondtermination of the tape so that the cover is attached to the tape by therow of stitches. An expandable member has a first and a secondextremity, the first extremity being secured to the first termination ofthe edging tape and extending from the first termination. The secondextremity of the member is secured to the second termination of theedging tape and extends from the second termination. The arrangement issuch that the tape and the expandable member cooperate together todefine therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein ofthe top surface of the shoe so that the cover is releasably securedabout the top surface of the shoe. Also, a strap has a first and asecond end, the first end of the strap being fastened to the firstextremity of the expandable member. The second end of the strap isfastened to the second extremity of the expandable member. The strap, inuse of the device, extends around the heel of the shoe so that the coveris firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction ofthe expandable member and the strap.

[0011] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the coveris fabricated from a translucent material and the cover is of a flexiblematerial. Preferably, the cover is fabricated from a plastics material.

[0012] The second edge of the cover is of semi-elliptical shape so thatthe cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe and the tape isfabricated from woven material.

[0013] The first face of the tape contacts the cover in a vicinity ofthe first edge of the cover and the folded tape defines a crease whichis disposed closely adjacent to the first edge of the cover.

[0014] Moreover, the tape has a length from the first to the secondtermination which is the same as a further length of the first edge ofthe cover.

[0015] Also, the row of stitches extends from the first termination tothe second termination of the tape and the expandable member isfabricated from elastic cloth.

[0016] Additionally, the strap is stretchable and is preferablyfabricated from elastic cloth.

[0017] Many modifications and variations of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration ofthe detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction withthe annexed drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. However, such modifications and variations fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shoe cover deviceaccording to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cover device shown in FIG. 1removed from the shoe in order ore clearly to show the parts thereof;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover device shown in FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG.3;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

[0023]FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but viewed fromthe opposite side.

[0024] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughoutthe various views of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe cover device generallydesignated 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,the shoe cover device 10 is for a shoe 12 having a top surface 14 and aheel 16, the device 10 protecting the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 fromhair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cover device 10 removed from theshoe 12 in order more clearly to show the parts thereof. As shown inFIG. 2, the cover device 10 includes a protective cover 18 ofshield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface 14 of theshoe 12, the cover 18 having a first and a second edge 20 and 22respectively.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover device 10 shown in FIG.2. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover device 10 includes an edging tape whichis generally designated 24.

[0028]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG.3. As shown in FIG. 4, the tape 24 has a first and a second face 26 and28 respectively and a first and a second side 30 and 32 respectively.Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the tape 24 has a first and a secondtermination 34 and 36 respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the edging tape24 is folded such that the first side 30 lies over the second side 32 ofthe tape 24 so that the tape 24 defines a channel 38 for the receptiontherein of the first edge 20 of the protective cover 18. A row ofstitches 40 extend between the first termination 34 and the secondtermination 36 of the tape 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that thecover 18 is attached to the tape 24 by the row of stitches 40. As shownin FIG. 3, an expandable member 42 has a first and a second extremity 44and 46 respectively, the first extremity 44 being secured to the firsttermination 34 of the edging tape 24 and extending from the firsttermination 34. The second extremity 46 of the member 42 is secured tothe second termination 36 of the edging tape 24 and extends from thesecond termination 36.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2. Asshown in FIG. 5, the arrangement is such that the tape 24 and theexpandable member 42 cooperate together to define therebetween anopening 48 for the removable insertion therein of the top surface 14 ofthe shoe 12 so that the cover 18 is releasably secured about the topsurface 14 of the shoe 12.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but viewed fromthe opposite side. As shown in FIG. 6, a strap 50 has a first and asecond end 52 and 54 respectively, the first end 52 of the strap 50being fastened to the first extremity 44 of the expandable member 42.The second end 54 of the strap 50 is fastened to the second extremity 46of the expandable member 42. The strap 50, in use of the device 10,extends around the heel 16 of the shoe 12 so that the cover 18 is firmlylocated over the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 by an interaction of theexpandable member 42 and the strap 50.

[0031] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the cover18 is fabricated from a translucent material and the cover 18 is of aflexible material. Preferably, the cover 18 is fabricated from aplastics material.

[0032] The second edge 22 of the cover 18 is of semi-elliptical shape sothat the cover 18 entirely covers the top surface 14 of the shoe 12 andthe tape 24 is fabricated from woven material.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the first face 26 of the tape 24 contacts thecover 18 in a vicinity of the first edge 20 of the cover 18 and thefolded tape 24 defines a crease 56 which is disposed closely adjacent tothe first edge 20 of the cover 18.

[0034] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the tape 24 has a length L from thefirst to the second termination 34 and 36 respectively which is the sameas a further length L′ of the first edge 20 of the cover 18.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the row of stitches 40 extendsfrom the first termination 34 to the second termination 36 of the tape24 and the expandable member 42 is fabricated from elastic cloth.

[0036] Additionally, the strap 50 is stretchable and is preferablyfabricated from elastic cloth.

[0037] In operation of the device according to the present invention,the user slips the toe of the shoe through the opening so that theexpandable member extends under the in-step of the shoe and the strap ispulled up around the heel of the shoe so that the protective cover isfirmly secured over the top surface of the shoe for protecting suchupper surface of the shoe.

[0038] The present invention provides a unique shoe cover device that isboth inexpensive to manufacture and easily secured to a shoe.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising: a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge; an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover; a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches; an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe; and a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap.
 2. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is fabricated from a translucent material.
 3. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is fabricated from a flexible material.
 4. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is fabricated from a plastics material.
 5. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second edge of said cover is of semi-elliptical shape so that said cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe.
 6. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tape is fabricated from woven material.
 7. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first face of said tape contacts said cover in a vicinity of said first edge of said cover.
 8. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said folded tape defines a crease which is disposed closely adjacent to said first edge of said cover.
 9. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tape has a length from said first to said second termination which is the same as a further length of said first edge of said cover.
 10. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said row of stitches extends from said first termination to said second termination of said tape.
 11. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said expandable member is fabricated from elastic cloth.
 12. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strap is stretchable.
 13. A shoe cover device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said strap is fabricated from elastic cloth.
 14. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising: a translucent protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge; an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover; a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches; an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe; and a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap.
 15. A shoe cover device for a shoe having a top surface and a heel, said device protecting the top surface of the shoe from hair or any harmful effects of chemicals used in hair salons, said device comprising: a protective cover of shield-shaped configuration for protecting the top surface of the shoe, said cover having a first and a second edge; an edging tape having a first and a second face and a first and a second side and a first and a second termination, said edging tape being folded such that said first side lies over said second side of said tape so that said tape defines a channel for the reception therein of said first edge of said protective cover; a row of stitches extending between said first termination and said second termination of said tape so that said cover is attached to said tape by said row of stitches; an expandable member having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being secured to said first termination of said edging tape and extending from said first termination, said second extremity being secured to said second termination of said edging tape and extending from said second termination, the arrangement being such that said tape and said expandable member cooperate together to define therebetween an opening for the removable insertion therein of the top surface of the shoe so that said cover is releasably secured about the top surface of the shoe; a strap having a first and a second end, said first end of said strap being fastened to said first extremity of said expandable member, said second end of said strap being fastened to said second extremity of said expandable member, said strap, in use of the device, extending around the heel of the shoe so that said cover is firmly located over the top surface of the shoe by an interaction of said expandable member and said strap; said cover being fabricated from a translucent flexible plastics material; said second edge of said cover being of semi-elliptical shape so that said cover entirely covers the top surface of the shoe; said tape being fabricated from woven material; said first face of said tape contacting said cover in a vicinity of said first edge of said cover; said folded tape defining a crease which is disposed closely adjacent to said first edge of said cover; said tape having a length from said first to said second termination which is the same as a further length of said first edge of said cover; said row of stitches extending from said first termination to said second termination of said tape; said expandable member being fabricated from elastic cloth; and said strap being fabricated from elastic cloth. 